The general refused to be more specific. But asked whether the US would begin pulling out the 30,000 extra forces deployed during the surge by next March, he replied: "Your calculations are about right."

Another official told ABC the reduction could begin as early as December with further withdrawals every 45 days.

"I'm going to focus on finding a sensible way to wrap things up in Iraq so that our soldiers can come home to their families," you'll be disappointed. He declares that his main goal is “To get us in a position where the presidential candidates will be comfortable about sustaining a presence," and (he later added) "stay longer."